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The Media Archaeological Repairman*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 November 2013

Morten Riis
Morten Riis*
Affiliation:
Centre for Participatory IT, Department of Aesthetics and Communication, Aarhus University, Helsingforsgade 14, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark E-mail: riis.morten@gmail.com
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Abstract

This paper investigates how a contemporary constructed mechanical musical instrument driven by a steam engine can be used as an instrument that brings new knowledge and understanding to rudimentary conditions regarding electronic music. The investigation takes its starting point in the media archaeological repairman that digs out the malfunctioning music machine and gives the material physicality a pivotal role, in contrast to the otherwise more symbolic understanding of electronic music that seems to be predominant. This alternative conceptualisation of electronic music focuses on rudimentary understandings of physical and symbolic framings of machine-based music, which are unfolded through the notion of operative technology, and brings new knowledge regarding key epistemological issues regarding timing, malfunction and operation within electronic and machine-based music.

Type
Articles
Information
Organised Sound , Volume 18 , Special Issue 3: Re-wiring Electronic Music , December 2013 , pp. 255 - 265
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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Footnotes

*

This research has been funded by Aarhus University's interdisciplinary research centre, Participatory IT, www.PIT.au.dk.

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